What Is Worry Worth?

I'm a worrier.  There I've said it.  Ahhhh....

Normally at this time of year I'm worrying that we won't get any fall and that these hot days will continue right up until Christmas.  Fall is my favorite time of year.

But this year is different.  This year we've had such a comfortable summer.  The weather has been the most comfortable I can remember in decades!  We've gotten an abundance of rain and everything looks gorgeous outside.  Okay, maybe I could use a few more sunny afternoons for beach time, but I'm not going to complain.

So now I have a new worry this year.  I'm concerned that the end of summer is coming too fast.  Even though we have warm days way past August, my mind tends to say that beach days are over in September.

September just says fall to me.  The magazines are touting cozy sweaters and muted colors.  It's a return-to-nature time of the year. Watch for wine, grays and camels this year.

The days of wearing your Lilly Pulitzer citrus explosions are coming to an end.  Truth is we can get away with wearing them a little longer here in Florida, still I can see the days creeping up when it will be time to take them from their honored place hanging in the closet and lay them to rest under my bed.

I remember having this same anxiety as a kid, as soon as the calendar would flip to August. School held no interest for me. I would feel sick to my stomach for weeks before school started.  Now here I am in my 50's with twinges of those same feelings.

I can't help but think of this bible verse: Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? ~ Matthew 6:27

So why not.....

Trust in God & let your worries go...

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

~ John 14:27

On A Wing and A Prayer - Take 2 and the Picture's Still Missing - Ugghh

What can prayer do?  Have you ever questioned, does my prayer really matter?  What difference will one little prayer do? One prayer can bring about a miracle.  One prayer linked to another creates a prayer chain.

Where do you see God?  Where do you find a reminder of him?  Do you see the reminders in the everyday things?  Do see the beauty in the ordinary?  Do you hear the love of God in the voice of a stranger?

A friend of mine took this picture on the boardwalk outside where she works.  Most days Jeannie finds something beautiful to take a picture of during her break and she shares them on facebook.  The one above took my breath away.  The simple image of a lowly feather, as pure white as fallen snow.  The juxtaposition of it against the weather and worn wood of the boardwalk is pure art.  Art that's created by our Lord, just waiting for someone to see it.  Perhaps this was the only proof of the angel who left it behind after intervening in someones moment of prayer.

Neil turned to me the other night in bed and told me he feels a little guilty.  He said that he felt guilty that he was doing so much better after his mothers death than after the death of his brother 5 years ago.  He explained how he misses her but felt bad because it felt so different.

I wasn't surprised, not now.  There are a couple of reasons, I explained.  First, I told him, your mother was 91 years old, your brother was 54.  Your brothers death was such a shock, so unexpected.  Your mother lived such a long life and it was such a full life.  She did more than most people ever did.  She was healthy and active until her mid 80's.  You'd watched her struggle at the end.  You were more prepared than you thought when she died.

Secondly, prayer.  Chains of prayer.  Prayers of love.  People in the neighborhood, learned of Neil's sensitive heart by watching how he cared for his mother the last 10 years, especially the last 3.  Friends I've made here learned of his caring heart by listening to me pour mine out and share the struggles he's had. 

Prayers were requested here and answered beyond my wildest dreams.  As much as I believe in  prayer, as much I wanted to be the true believer, I'm ashamed that I still dreaded the aftermath.  I feared what would come because I had first hand knowledge of the aftermath of Williams death.  First hand knowledge of the aftermath of losing my own parents years ago.  But once again, those deaths came without warning, so close together and I was so young.  The aftermath was indescribable.

Now my heart screams out with gratitude to God.  Gratitude for a savior who is so merciful that he comforts us when our hearts break.  A savior who we can call Father and know that he will never leave us or forsake us.  A savior who listens, whether it's the cry of one or many.

Friends you don't know how many prayers of gratitude I've said for each one of you.  I love you each of you and if I could share any truth I know to be true, it's that God is here, he never left.  He hears everything you ask of him and he loves each of you.  He doesn't chase you down.  He patiently waits for you to call his name.

And on a totally unrelated subject.  This is a sneak peek of one of the projects I worked on today.  I share more later this week.

P.S.  Don't forget to enter my giveaways.  Just click on the picture on the right side bar.

Have a blessed week Ya'll! ♥ Tracy

Please Pray for Dan and Kate!!!!

I just found out my dear friend Kate's husband Dan is in the hospital.  If you don't already know Kate you is just the sweetest person from MN.  She and her family have a strong faith in God and are just overall amazing people.  Please take a moment to go by Kate at Auntie Cake's and leave them a kind word and say a prayer.  Dan has been having some problems passing out and they were doing test to find the cause.  His heart stopped for 4 mins.  They have since put in a pacemaker and are still searching for an answer to the real cause of the problems.


You have all been so good to me and my family while we are still dealing with our issues as MIL is still hospitalized.  Please take a moment to share that love and support with Kate.  I'm sure she needs all the good wishes and prayers to keep her strong.


Much love to you all....Tracy :)